Patents Assigned to Agfa
  • Patent number: 4831434
    Abstract: An improved method for correction of color saturation, in electronic image processing, automatically compensates for brightness changes resulting from contrast processing. The method is used with electronic image processing, in which a two-dimensional original image is electro-optically scanned along rows and columns for three primary colors, the resulting image signals are transformed into a luminance signal Y and two color-difference or chrominance signals C1, C2, and the luminance signal is modified by electronic contrast processing. The invention improves the basic image processing method by measuring the luminance signals Y.sub.1 and Y.sub.2 which occur, respectively, before and after contrast processing, and multiplying their quotient Y.sub.2 /Y.sub.1 by each of the two chrominance signals C1, C2. This compensates automatically for the increase in color saturation which accompanies a brightness reduction and for the decrease in color saturation which accompanies a brightness increase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Assignee: AGFA Gevaert Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Hermann Fuchsberger
  • Patent number: 4831436
    Abstract: A colored original is scanned in each of the three primary colors red, green and blue to generate a series of electrical imaging signals for each such color. The signals are electronically processed and then sent to a cathode ray tube having a screen which is coated with a phosphor. The cathode ray tube successively converts the signals of the different series into optical images having the respective primary colors red, green and blue. The images are formed on the screen of the cathode ray tube thereby exciting the phosphor which luminesces to generate printing light. The differently colored images are successively printed on photographic color paper using the printing light emitted by the phosphor as well as respective red, green and blue filters. The phosphor is a rare earth phosphor which emits strongly in the red region of the spectrum and only weakly in the green and blue regions of the spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Klaus Birgmeir, Eduard Wagensonner
  • Patent number: 4830941
    Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a relief element useful in liquid crystal display panels to control the gap-width of the liquid crystal layer, which process comprises the steps of:(I) pattern-wise photo-exposing a photographic silver halide emulsion material comprising on a support a single gelatin containing silver halide emulsion layer to form a latent pattern of exposed silver halide, and(II) treating the exposed silver halide emulsion layer with an aqueous solution containing a developing agent for said halide in the presence of a colorless coupling agent capable of forming with oxidized developing agent a diffusion resistant colorless reaction product increasing the thickness of said emulsion layer in the exposed regions.The treating step (II) can occur also in the presence of a color developing agent reactive with the oxidized developing agent to form a colored reaction product in the exposed regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert N.V.
    Inventors: Raymond A. Roosen, Marcellus H. De Meyer, Marcel J. Monbaliu
  • Patent number: 4830949
    Abstract: An ecologically advantageous method for processing an exposed photographic silver halide emulsion layer-bearing material involves the steps of:(A) developing in an aqueous alkaline liquid an image-wise exposed silver halide emulsion layer of said material by means of at least one diffusible developing agent in the absence of such an amount of silver halide solvent that would reduce the coverage of developed silver metal (Ag/m2) by more than 20%,(B) bringing the emulsion layer side of said developed photographic material while still wet by the liquid from step (A) into contact with a water-absorbing processing layer of a receptor element that contains in an organic hydrophilic colloid binder a silver halide reducing agent and silver halide complexing agent and in waterpermeable relationship therewith physical development nuclei,(C) maintaining said photographic material and receptor compound into said receptor element until removal of undeveloped silver halide from the exposed silver halide emulsion layer is s
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Assignee: AGFA-Gevaert N.V.
    Inventor: Gino L. De Rycke
  • Patent number: 4830954
    Abstract: The sensitivity of color photographic negative films may be increased without loss of color quality or sharpness by applying at least one panchromatically sensitized, highly sensitive and black-coupling layer as uppermost, additional light sensitive and dye-forming layer on the side of the film facing the object and including in the negative material sufficient DIR-Coupler to produce an interimage effect of .gtoreq.10% in the yellow region, .gtoreq.25% in the magenta region and .gtoreq.15% in the cyan region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Reinhart Matejec
  • Patent number: 4828927
    Abstract: A sheet or web comprising a substrate which is composed of or coated with a hydrophobic resin and carries an antistatic layer, characterized in that the antistatic layer consists essentially of a blockcopolyetherester of dibasic carboxylic acid(s) esterified with ethylene glycol and with a polyoxyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight in the range 1,000 to 10,000, at least 20% by weight of such blockcopolyetherester being constituted by polyoxyethylene-ester chain parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert, N.V.
    Inventors: Daniel M. Timmerman, August M. Marien, Jan E. Van Havenbergh, Etienne A. Van Thillo
  • Patent number: 4823535
    Abstract: In a device for unloading X-ray film cassette a nozzle is provided, positioned at a front side of the cassette to be unloaded, for blowing air into a gap between a slightly open lid and the remaining part of the cassette. The nozzle is switched on for short intervals to ensure blow air stream which generate vacuum under the film stuck to the lid to pull the film back towards the bottom of the cassette so that a reliable separation of the film by a sucker is ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert AG
    Inventors: Manfred Schmidt, Johann Zanner
  • Patent number: 4825296
    Abstract: An original to be copied is electrooptically scanned point-by-point. The resulting imaging signals are stored in a first memory and then forwarded to a first image processing unit where the signals are electronically corrected to enhance the image of the original. The corrected signals are loaded into a second memory. A portion of the corrected signals is recalled from the second memory and sent to a third memory. This portion of the corrected signals is then transmitted to a second image processing unit and thereafter converted into a low-resolution video image which can be inspected to determine image quality. If image quality is satisfactory, the contents of the second memory are sent to an exposure unit which prints a high-resolution image of the original on copy material. Imaging signals for a second original are loaded into the first memory as the contents of the second memory are recalled for printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Assignee: AGFA-Gevaert Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Eduard Wagensonner, Hermann Fuchsberger, Wolfgang Ruf
  • Patent number: 4823595
    Abstract: In a process for measuring the equilibrium moisture in hygroscopic, laminar material coated on both sides, preferably in raw paper coated on both sides used as support for a photographic paper, by determining the relative moisture of the air in contact with the material, samples are removed from the material by a process which forms cut surfaces on the material and are introduced into a container which can be sealed off against the outer atmosphere, and after establishment of the equilibrium moisture in this container the relative moisture of the air contained therein is measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert AG
    Inventors: Saleman Hamed, Jorg M. Soder
  • Patent number: 4825297
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for electronic contrast valuation of two-dimensional transparent original images, in which the original images are electro-optically scanned by rows and columns. The image signals, corresponding to the image elements or pixels, and possibly needing correction, are subjected to frequency filtering, in which they are modified by a low-pass filter. The resulting low-pass signals are summed with corresponding high-pass signals obtained by subtraction of low-pass signals from the original image signals. The amplification factor for the high-pass signal is determined according to a non-linear transfer characteristic function K2, such that small signals corresponding to low image contrast are more greatly amplified (amplification S.sub.1) than are large signals corresponding to high image contrast (amplification S.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Assignee: AGFA-Gevaert Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hermann Fuchsberger, Eduard Wagensonner
  • Patent number: 4822696
    Abstract: A process for the conversion of X-rays into blue and/or green light with a phosphor which on exposure to X-rays emits light the spectrum of which contains main intensity lines below 460 nm and/or main intensity lines between 530 and 570 nm, wherein said phosphor comprises a gadolinium gallium garnet compound having following empirical formula:Gd.sub.8-x-y Ln.sub.y Ga.sub.x O.sub.12wherein: 5.14.gtoreq.x.gtoreq.4.90 and 0.45.gtoreq.y.gtoreq.0.001, and Ln is scandium (Sc) and/or one or more rare earth elements other than gadolinium.The invention is directed particularly to the use of said phosphor in an X-ray conversion screen applied in medical radiography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert N.V.
    Inventors: Marinus J. Lammers, George Blasse, David R. Terrell, Leo B. Alaerts
  • Patent number: 4822729
    Abstract: Cyan-forming color couplers according to the formula: ##STR1## wherein Z is hydrogen or a coupling off group, R.sup.1 is hydrogen, a halogen atom, alkyl, or alkoxy, R.sup.2 is hydrogen or alkyl, R.sub.3 is hydrogen, a halogen atom, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylsulphonyl, alkanamidosulphonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkanamidocarbonyl, alkanamido, alkylsulphonamido, or cyano, R.sup.4 is a substituent standing at the 3- or 6-position of the phenol and selected from hydrogen, a halogen atom, and alkyl, and n is 0 or 1. These couplers can be incorporated into (a) red-sensitized silver halide emulsion layer(s) of a photographic multilayer color element or in a non-light-sensitive colloid layer in water-permeable relationship with the red-sensitized emulsion layer(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Assignee: AGFA-Gevaert, N.V.
    Inventors: Marcel J. Monbaliu, Paul L. Van Meerbeeck
  • Patent number: 4820608
    Abstract: The present invention provides a dye diffusion transfer imaging process comprising transferring image-wise by diffusion an acid dye to an image-receiving layer incorporating a non-polymeric phosphonium mordanting agent and a copolymer latex comprising free weak acid groups as a stabilizer for the mordanting agent, wherein the image-wise transfer of said acid dye is performed in the presence of a heterocyclic compound corresponding to one of the following general formulae I, II, and III: ##STR1## wherein: Y represents the non-metallic atoms needed to complete a saturated or unsaturated 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic nucleus, which may carry a fused-on aromatic ring system, and M represents hydrogen, an alkali metal atom, a quaternary ammonium group, or a negative charge forming an inner salt with a quaternized nitrogen atom of the heterocyclic compound. The invention also provides an image receptor element for dye diffusion transfer imaging processes comprising a support and such image-receiving layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Assignee: AGFA-Gevaert, N.V.
    Inventors: Daniel A. Claeys, Daniel M. Timmerman, Antonius A. Rutges, Eddy A. Michiels, Luc J. Vanmaele, Piet Kok
  • Patent number: 4821060
    Abstract: Apparatus for separably connecting the leader of a web of photosensitive material to a running band which serves to pull the web through a processor employs a clip one portion of which is separably connected to the web and another portion of which is provided with a channel into which the band can enter only in response to a reduction of its effective width due to its innate elasticity and entrains the clip and the web through the processor. The mechanism for connecting the other portion of the clip to the band has a matrix at one side of the path of movement of the band opposite the open side of the channel in the other portion of the clip, and a deforming member which can be moved by a motor to cooperate with the matrix in deforming the band so that the effective width of the band is temporarily reduced to allow for introduction into the channel of the other portion of the clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Siegfried Kurths
  • Patent number: 4820615
    Abstract: The present invention relates to photographic elements comprising a support and on one or on both sides of said support in the given order at least one photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer and at least one protective hydrophilic colloid layer comprising finely divided solid spherical beads having an average size ranging from 0.5 to about 20 .mu.m, said beads comprising at least one photographically inert hydrophobic polymeric resinous material and, distributed throughout said resinous material, at least one water-insoluble wax, in a ratio by weight ranging from 10:0.1 to 10:5.The present invention also relates to a method of making such photographic elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert, N.V.
    Inventors: Hubert Vandenabeele, Jacques L. Vervecken
  • Patent number: 4820616
    Abstract: The sensitivity of highly sensitive color photographic recording materials may be enhanced by compounds releasing fogging or development accelerating compounds as a result of a reaction with color developer oxidation products and fogging may at the same time be reduced by using compounds corresponding to formula I as silver halide stabilizers: ##STR1## wherein Z denotes the atoms required for completing an oxazole or oxazine ring andY denotes a condensed aromatic ring system having at least one aromatic ring optionally substituted with an acid group, or a substituent carrying an acid group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Reinhart Matejec, Manfred Becker, Heinrich Odenwalder, Hans-Joerg Metz
  • Patent number: 4820613
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of hardening a proteinaceous surface layer of a photographic silver halide element by incorporating a dextran derivative in said proteinaceous surface layer, said dextran derivative being the reaction product of dextran and an epihalohydrin. The invention also provides a photographic element comprising at least one silver halide emulsion layer and at least one proteinaceous surface layer comprising the reaction product of dextran and an epihalohydrin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert, N.V.
    Inventors: Joan T. Vermeersch, Hubert Vandenabeele, Jacques L. Vervecken, Daniel M. Timmerman
  • Patent number: 4819317
    Abstract: An arrangement for unloading and loading of x-ray sheet film cassettes of standardized but different sizes of their flat sides which also can be used for receiving different sheet film sorts and reloadable with respective sheet film sorts, comprises a light-tight closeable shaft for receiving a cassette, transporting unit for inserting and withdrawing of the cassettes, unit for positioning the cassette at a cassette corner which is the same for all cassettes, a mechanically-electronic comparison device for determining the format of a cassette, an opening device for the cassette, unit for withdrawing a film and inserting of a new film into the cassette, and unit for automatically distinguishing of cassette types with the same sizes or size regions and loadable with different film sorts and including at least one outwardly sensible marking provided on the cassettes of at least one type, at least one sensor arranged to sense the marking with a positioned cassette, and a comparison device which is connected for t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Assignee: AGFA-Gevaert AG
    Inventors: Walter Bauer, Manfred Schmidt, Herbert Plaschke, Otto Butz
  • Patent number: 4819034
    Abstract: A method and a microfilm camera for detecting codes applied to original copies being screened in the camera in which a code reader detects the codes, and a counter and comparison device is provided, which is connected to the code reader and is adjusted to a predetermined number of the copies. Two intermediate memories are connected to the counter and comparison device. The memories count and store marks for the blip types and codes from the code reader, respectively. The code value, the blip mark value and the copy number value are compared in the counter and comparison device and when coincide, a copy supply which was previously stopped is switched on again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert AG
    Inventors: Manfred Weinzierl, Eberhard Zieran
  • Patent number: 4816372
    Abstract: Compounds of the formula I are suitable as thermal development and diffusion promoting agents for the heat development process. With the aid of said compounds higher color transfer densities can be achieved and/or the development time can be shortened. ##STR1## wherein X.sub.1 denotes --SO.sub.2 -- or--CO--;R.sup.1 to R.sup.4 denote alkyl, cycloalkyl, aralkyl or aryl;R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 denote acyl or a group as defined for R.sup.1 to R.sup.4 ; and R.sup.1 together with R.sup.5, R.sup.2 together with R.sup.6, R.sup.3 together with R.sup.4 and/or R.sup.1 together with R.sup.2 may in each case form a heterocyclic ring containing at least one nitrogen atom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Assignee: AGFA-Gevaert Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gunther Schenk, Manfred Peters